Smartsheet vs Jira: A data-backed comparison
Explore Smartsheet and Jira features, pricing, adoption trends, and ideal use cases to help you determine which project management tool best fits your team.
Smartsheet vs Jira at a glance
Both Smartsheet and Jira offer strong project management capabilities, but they cater to different types of teams. While Smartsheet suits general project tracking, Jira is made for software teams.
Smartsheet is a better option for business teams managing data-driven projects, offering a familiar spreadsheet interface with built-in automation and reporting tools.
Jira is a better option for software development teams that need Agile workflows, issue tracking, and deep DevOps integration to streamline product development.
Metrics | Smartsheet | Jira |
|---|---|---|
Relative cost | 22% lower cost than category average | – |
Adoption trend | 15% QoQ adoption growth | 8% QoQ adoption growth |
Primary user segment | – | 39% of users are SMB |
Best for | Organizations of all sizes that need collaborative project management and scalable workflow solutions that can grow with their business. | Organizations of all sizes seeking ticketing systems, developer support tools, and agile project management platforms that scale with team growth and evolving needs. |
Smartsheet overview
Smartsheet is a project management tool that integrates spreadsheet functionality with task tracking and automation. It helps teams organize tasks, set deadlines, and manage workflows within sheets. With views like Gantt charts, cards, and calendars, teams can track progress in various ways.
Automation streamlines tasks like approvals, status updates, and notifications, improving workflow efficiency. Smartsheet is well-suited for projects needing detailed tracking and collaboration.
Smartsheet key features
Features | Description |
|---|---|
Customizable project views | Grid, Gantt, and card views support flexible project tracking. |
Workflow automation | No-code templates streamline repetitive tasks and complex workflows. |
Enterprise reporting | Custom dashboards provide deep analytics and real-time project insights. |
Resource management | Built-in timesheets and resource tracking for project planning. |
Secure collaboration | Access controls and integrations with Microsoft 365 and Salesforce support enterprise use. |
Data connectivity | Syncs with external systems like ServiceNow, Jira, and Google Sheets. |
Jira overview
Jira is a project management tool built for software teams using Agile methodologies. It offers detailed tracking of tasks and issues, along with customizable workflows for handling complex processes.
The platform features advanced reporting tools such as burndown charts, velocity tracking, and flow diagrams to provide insights into project progress.
While it requires more setup than simpler tools, Jira is a good fit for technical teams managing intricate development cycles or large projects with multiple dependencies.
Jira key features
Features | Description |
|---|---|
Agile boards | Customizable Scrum and Kanban boards for sprint planning and visualizing workflows. |
Issue tracking | Tracks bugs, tasks, and stories with custom fields, filters, and audit trails. |
Workflow engine | Custom issue workflows with conditional transitions and automated actions. |
Roadmaps | Visual timeline tools for planning product features and releases. |
Development tools integration | Connects with GitHub, Bitbucket, Jenkins, and Bamboo to link tasks with code activities. |
JQL (Jira Query Language) | SQL-like query language for creating complex searches and custom reports. |
Pros and cons
Tool | Pros | Cons |
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Smartsheet |
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Jira |
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Use case scenarios
Smartsheet is better for data-driven project management, while Jira is ideal for software teams needing detailed issue tracking and customizable workflows.
When Smartsheet is the better choice
- Teams handling structured, data-centric projects.
- Users comfortable with spreadsheets who need a grid-based interface for task coordination, resource allocation, and dependency tracking.
- Non-technical teams, such as marketing or operations, managing campaigns, budgets, and tracking progress.
- Teams requiring polished, ready-to-present reports with minimal effort.
When Jira is the better choice
- Agile software teams needing sprint planning, backlog management, and code repository integrations.
- Teams requiring issue tracking and customizable workflows for bug and feature management.
- DevOps teams linking issues to code commits, builds, and deployments.
- Teams with compliance needs, requiring audit trails and permission controls for governance and productivity.
Other project management tools
- ClickUp: A highly customizable project management platform with multiple views, automation, and built-in time tracking, making it ideal for teams looking for an all-in-one workspace.
- Wrike: Focuses on workload management and detailed reporting, offering real-time collaboration tools and custom dashboards for teams handling complex projects.
- Monday.com: Provides visual project tracking with templated workflows and automation, making it a great choice for teams that need an easy-to-set-up collaboration tool.
- Notion: Merges task management with documentation and knowledge sharing, allowing teams to manage projects alongside internal resources in a centralized workspace.
- Airtable: Combines spreadsheet-like data organization with project tracking, offering flexible databases and automation for structured team collaboration.
- Asana: A structured project management solution featuring task dependencies, automation, and timeline views, making it ideal for teams handling complex workflows.
- Teamwork: A project management tool tailored for client-based businesses, offering time tracking, invoicing, and workload management for agencies and service providers.
- Zoho Projects: A scalable project management platform with task automation, time tracking, and CRM integration, making it ideal for businesses needing a comprehensive operational suite.
- Microsoft Project: An enterprise-level planning tool with resource management, budgeting, and advanced scheduling features, best suited for large organizations with complex project needs.